Federal officials deny bombing suspect arrest (updated: 2:51 p.m.)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 17, 2013 03:02 PM

Emma MacDonald, 21, center, cries during a vigil for the victims of the Boston Marathon explosions at Boston Common, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Twin explosions near the marathon's finish line Monday killed three people, wounded more than 170 and reawakened fears of terrorism. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP

ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 17, 2013 03:02 PM

BOSTON -- Federal officials deny that a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings is in custody.

A law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press today that a suspect was in custody.

But the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Boston dispute that.

The official who spoke to the Associated Press did so on condition of anonymity and stood by the information even after it was disputed.

The official was not authorized to divulge details of the investigation. The official had said the suspect was expected in federal court in Boston.

Reporters and police have converged at the courthouse.

CNN also reported there had been an arrest. The network updated its story minutes ago.

"A federal law enforcement source told CNN's Fran Townsend that someone was arrested," CNN reported at 2:44 p.m. "But later, two senior administration officials and another federal official told Townsend that there had been a misunderstanding among officials and that no one has been arrested."

Law-enforcement agencies had earlier pleaded for the public to come forward with photos, videos or any information that might help them solve the twin bombings that killed three people and wounded more than 170 Monday.

Investigators circulated information about the bombs, which involved kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and other lethal shrapnel. But the FBI said nobody had claimed responsibility.